Lufthansa Slashes 20,000 Flights as Jet Fuel Surges Amid Iran War

Lufthansa will cut 20,000 European short-haul flights over the summer as jet fuel prices surge amid the ongoing Iran conflict. The airline says the soaring fuel costs make many journeys unprofitable for the firm, with jet fuel having more than doubled in price since the conflict began and supply affected by disruptions in the Middle East. The carrier says the move will save roughly 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, the majority of which will come from its European CityLine service.

The airline listed a set of affected routes, noting it will temporarily stop flying to and from Heringsdorf, Cork, Gdańsk, Ljubljana, Rijeka, Sibiu, Stuttgart, Trondheim, Tivat, and Wrocław. Passengers on these services will be refunded or rebooked on alternative flights within the Lufthansa Group or with partner carriers where possible. Some of the reductions could become permanent as the airline reviews its European timetable and announces further details later in April.

Context from Europe’s aviation sector remains tense: the European Union is preparing a fuel observatory to track jet fuel production, imports, exports and stock levels, while the International Energy Agency warned that Europe could run short of jet fuel in weeks. Officials and industry players say there is currently no widespread disruption, but price pressures are likely to persist as supply chains adjust to broader Middle East developments.

For travelers, the immediate takeaway is a likelihood of further ticket-price increases and more cancellations, even as airlines strive to maintain schedules and protect margins in a high-fuel environment. Lufthansa pledges ongoing updates as it refines its schedule and coordinates with partners to minimize disruption for affected customers.

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